A Missouri lease agreement is written and agreed upon by a landlord and a tenant for a period of time in exchange for the payment of rent. The tenant’s credit and income will most likely be verified by the landlord before a lease is signed. At lease signing, the tenant will be obligated to pay the first (1st) month’s rent and a security deposit (if any).
Laws – Chapter 441 (Landlord and Tenant)
Rental Application – Form given to a potential tenant, along with a small fee, to run credit & personal background checks in addition to verifying references.
Table of Contents
- Agreement Types (9)
- Disclosures
- Access
- Security Deposits
- Handbook
- (Video) What are the Missouri Rental Laws?
Agreement Types (9)
Association of Realtors Residential Lease Agreement – To be used and written by a licensed Realtor when handling a transaction between a landlord and tenant.
Download: Adobe PDF
Apartment Association of Missouri Lease Agreement – For any standard fixed term housing arrangement.
Download: Adobe PDF
Commercial Lease Agreement – For any business-related use such as occupying retail, office, or industrial space.
Download: Adobe PDF, MS Word (.docx), OpenDocument
Lease with Option to Purchase (Lease to Own) Agreement – Standard residential contract with language providing for the purchase of the property if the tenant chooses to buy.
Download: Adobe PDF, MS Word (.docx), OpenDocument
Month-to-Month Lease Agreement – Known as a tenancy at will and should be written according to Section 441.060 providing at least one (1) month’s notice to cancel at any time.
Download: Adobe PDF, MS Word (.docx), OpenDocument
Room Rental (Roommate) Agreement – For individuals sharing common areas within one (1) dwelling.
Download: Adobe PDF, MS Word (.docx), OpenDocument
Standard Residential Lease Agreement – Fixed-term lease typically for a 1-year agreement.
Download: Adobe PDF, MS Word (.docx), OpenDocument
Sublease Agreement – For the purpose of a tenant that is legally bound to an existing arrangement with the landlord and would like another individual to fill-in and pay rent until the end of their term.
Download: Adobe PDF, MS Word (.docx), OpenDocument
Termination Lease Letter – Cancels a month-to-month agreement according to Section 441.060 by providing at least one (1) month’s notice.
Download: Adobe PDF, MS Word (.docx), OpenDocument
Disclosures
Lead-Based Paint Disclosure – Required by any landlord, per federal law, whose housing unit was built prior to 1978.
Access
There is no statute that requires the landlord to give the tenant notice before entering the property for any non-emergency reason.
Security Deposits
Maximum (Section 535.300) – Two (2) months’ rent.
Returning (Section 535.300) – Within thirty (30) days of the termination of tenancy by the landlord the deposit must be returned to the tenant.